It has been exactly one month since I last updated this blog. My new job is going great at the Saginaw News. I have written a number of articles and I'm learning a lot. I will be experimenting with new things on this blog from time to time. I appreciate all of the support and thank you all for hanging in there with me.
From the looks of things this job may last a little longer than I first thought. I didn't have a bachelor's degree, which is required, but I was given a chance under a paid 40 hour per week "non-traditional" internship. Which means that I'm not making journalist money yet and I don't get benefits but I'm not making minimum wage either.
The good thing is I can inch closer to my bachelor's degree and that will hopefully put me in a position to be hired as a regular staff employee. But if all else fails I'm sure I will be able to do freelance work for the Saginaw News as well as other publications which is good because it gives me more freedom to chase other ventures.
In case you have missed an article or two of mine, I have put together this blog just for you.
No big news today. I'm glad that the Saginaw Events Center millage passed. I'm happy the elections (mid-term) are over. I still hate all of the construction. Other than that nothing new is going on. Oh yeah, I start a new job at the Saginaw News as a writer on November 22. I am happy and excited about it but I am upset because I will no longer be able to voice my STRONG opinions on this blog as it will reflect badly on my employer. I am searching for a different format for this blog that can keep you all entertained yet deliver information at the same time without jeopardizing my job. Give me some ideas, PLEASE? I'm thinking about using this blog to tell my life story, report community events, or even turn it over to a guest writer. Let me know what YOU would like to see. Until then...I will play it safe. We will see what happens after the 22nd.
I can't leave without a picture FAIL!!!
Check out how this lady BLEW her $$$MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION$
OneWord:FAIL!!!
Don't forget to post this to your wall on Facebook.
Also, Give me some feedback on which direction you would like to see this blog take.
Remember in the last blog I told everyone to pray for me because I had some wonderful opportunities on the table? Well there must be power in numbers because God is slowly making a dream of mine a reality. I have told a few people but I don't want to celebrate too soon. So stay tuned and be looking for an announcement on November 23rd.
This weekend I had a wonderful time. I attended the Saginaw African American Minority Business Association (SAAMBA) luncheon on Friday and the financial workshop on Saturday, both were at the Horizons Center. Later Saturday evening I went to a Saginaw Spirit game at the Dow Events Center. Downtown Saginaw was JAMMED PACKED! I love seeing my city like this. The Saginaw Spirit is doing a wonderful job at attracting people to our wonderful city. The Saginaw News reported today that in the nine years since the Spirit hit the ice for the first time at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, visitors have poured more than $6.7 million into hotel stays alone. Can you imagine what would happen if the Events Center millage does not pass on November 2nd? I got some pics, check 'em out!
Have you ever heard of the Saginaw Promise Zone? Probably not. But the Saginaw Promise Zone is a project that a group of Saginaw leaders and investors are quietly working on that will assure that any child that lives in the Saginaw school district and goes to Saginaw school will get a FREE college education from any of the Michigan colleges upon graduation from high school. Yeah, I thought I would get your attention with that one. If your child lives in a certain part of Saginaw and graduates from a Saginaw public school, they will receive a free college education. That means if you don't want to pay for college or can't afford to, you need to move within the district. This will be great for Saginaw because it will bring people in from all around the state. College ain't cheap and we have some of the best ones in Michigan. Kalamazoo already has this in place and their city is flourishing. Saginaw leaders are hoping to put the finishing touches on this soon enough to benefit the c/o 2012. I'm literally ROTFL (Rolling On The Floor Laughing) at all of those crybabies and whiners that left already, you know, the ones that say Saginaw has nothing to offer! I just hope they moved somewhere that makes them enough money to send their children to college.
IN OTHER NEWS... Does anyone remember the FBI shows its raid on Imam Luqman Abdullah and his followers at a Dearborn warehouse about noon on Oct. 28, 2009. It made national headlines (google it) because Abdullah was reportedly shot around 20 times. Well, footage of that raid has been released along with a timeline explaining the events on tape:
• 11:45 a.m. -- Abdullah arrives in a vehicle at the warehouse, on Miller Road, near Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. He is led to warehouse by confidential informant working for FBI.
A few minutes later, the suspects are then seen loading boxes of flat-screen televisions from one trailer to another using pallets.*
• 12:00:03 p.m. -- Confidential informant working for FBI leaves the building. His image on the video is distorted to hide his appearance.
• 12:02:50 -- Undercover FBI agent leaves.
• 12:04:15 -- Abdullah is seen pulling a lift device into the warehouse.*
• 12:04:23 -- Explosive devices are set off by remote control to distract the suspects. The suspects jump after hearing them go off. In one video, some TVs are rattled and dust flies.*
• 12:04:28 -- Abdullah runs right, then left to a side door, and then back toward a trailer.* Another suspect in a gray shirt runs to second trailer.
• 12:04:35 -- Abdullah runs back to trailer, and suspect with a gold-colored hat follows him. Red laser dots from the rifles of the FBI agents appear on the screen.*
About 20 federal agents in military gear swarm the scene, their rifles positioned. *
• 12:04:38 -- The suspect with the gold hat puts his hands up.
• 12:04:43 -- Four suspects lie on ground while Abdullah is still standing. Abdullah appears to be peering around the corner.*
• Dearborn report says he appears to be removing a weapon from his clothing, jumping and shifting his clothing upward.
• 12:04:44 -- The imam is up against a wall and concealing his right hand from agents. His right hand has a dark object consistent with shape of handgun.
• 12:04:49 -- Abdullah starts to lie down inside the trailer. At this point, the video scene is blocked by stacks of televisions, which partially obstructs what is happening.
• 12:05:26 -- Suspect in black T-shirt is lying in front of the apron in the middle of a trailer. Another suspect, wearing navy a T-shirt, is lying down on the east side section of the open trailer. And one with a beige hat is lying face down to the front right of the guy with the black T-shirt. The K9 attack dog approaches.
• 12:05:27 -- Dog is released. It moves quickly toward Abdullah.
• 12:05:29 -- Agent moves his body suddenly as shots are fired. An agent from the back moves forward into position closer to Abdullah.*
• 12:05:32-33 -- Shell casings can be seen flying backward over the shoulder of an FBI agent who appears to aim his rifle at Abdullah.*
• 12:05:33 -- Shooting ends.
• 12:05:39 -- Dog that is shot is walked away from the trailer by his handler. The dog, Freddy, died.
In the minutes that follow, Abdullah's followers are dragged to different locations by FBI agents.*
• 12:24 -- Video footage ends.
Wow!
I was searching through facebook looking for a FAIL!!! and I ran across this: Times must really be hard if an ex Bank Robber is holding a sign begging for BULLETS!
OneWord:FAIL!!!!
Remember to post this to your wall on facebook and send me any story ideas, advertisements, events and FAILS!!!. Thanks for the support, Bobjohnson
Don't ring the Alarm Gee! Who remembers BOSS, the 1990's female rapper from Detroit? She had the best part on Spice One's song "The Heist- Don't ring the alarm." (Random thought.)
I once heard that Saginaw was on fire but the wind was also blowing. This means that everything that was happening in Saginaw would blow right over into the surrounding counties. Now that Saginaw has been calm this entire year, has anyone noticed that Bay City and Midland has been in the news a little more than usual. I don't want us to be the ones that licks our tongues out and say, "Nah-nah-na-nah-nah." I want us to continue to stand proud and let everyone know that we are not a lost cause, we will not be on anyones "top dangerous cities list" anymore, and we are never out of the race of wonderful cities to live in. Most importantly, we want to show our leadership by not rubbing it in their faces as they did/do us. We really need to band together and help each other out more both in Saginaw and in the Great Lakes Bay Region. (I'm stillsalty over being called Sag-dad, like Baghdad.) BTW, remember this pic?
Well this is what I plan to see:
In other news...
Did you know that the Delta College Pioneers will open for the Detroit Pistons and play their first home game at the Palace of Auburn Hills. That's right, when is the last time your college's basketball team brought in D.L. Hughley, featured commencement speaker Bobjohnson (shameless plug), and opened up for the Detroit Pistons? We are taking a party bus down and students can buy a $20 ticket to watch the Pioneers play and then get to stay for the game on Nov. 5th
While we are on the subject of Detroit check out this curse turned blessing...
In Detroit, a dispute between nieghbors got out of hand when grown up neighbors started taunting a dying 7 year-old. From what I understand, one neighbor was mad at another neighbor so they got into an argument. The other neighbor had a granddaughter who has Huntington's disease and will eventually die from it the same way her mother did just last year. When I first heard the story I thought this was the most ignorant thing a person could do. I thought that by the media reporting it, the taunting neighbors would have been influenced to move out of the neighborhood and maybe even the country. But God is good and something else happened. People from around the world also heard about this story and they raised $17,500 to take the little girl on a shopping spree. If I was her, I would come home with $17,500 worth of very loud and noisy toys and play with them at all times of the night in the club house I would purchase that would sit 2cm from the property line by the neighbors bedroom window. Or I would make a mistake and throw $17,500 worth of baseballs through their windows. What would you do?
While you are viewing my last blog don't forget to order your book from Saginaw's local spiritual author Daniel Rodriguez.
Sweetest Day is right around the corner (Saturday for everyone that ran around the corner looking for it). As always, Rahmaan Kelley got you covered. Check out the Dru Hill concert at the Dow Events Center on Saturday. Click here to buy your tickets.
Fella's, I met with some very important decision makers (she shall remain nameless) and we came to the conclusion that Sweetest Day will be the woman's turn to treat her man. I basically had to pull these decision maker's arms (her's) to accept this. But they (she) insisted on it being that way. But fella's, don't feel guilty. You will pay for this during Christmas and Valentines Day (maybe even Thanksgiving if you have a bridgecard). Not to mention missing Sunday's game with Big Ben returning to the lineup.
So you might as well get fresh now...
Don't be like this dude on Sweetest Day. Instead, Call Twuan at Fresh 2Def 989.284.1330.
OneWord:FAIL!!! (I'm glad he isn't in the military. Could you imagine how funny it would be to see him salute his commanding officers?)
Remember to post this to your facebook wall and join this blog!
ALSO...
Say a big prayer for ya boy Bobjohnson, I have some major opportunities on the horizons.
In celebration of my blog being viewed close to 400 times within the last month, I am going to dedicate this blog to things that are happening in Saginaw right now. I mean, it is obvious someone is reading and this is only the right thing to do to show you that I appreciate you as readers. Now if only I could get more of you to join the blog and ACTUALLY post each new one to your facebook wall. (Fat chance though!)
Now...Who's excited about the MSU/UofM game Saturday? I know I am! I'm a MSU fan to the heart and green and white are also many of our favorite colors (money, duh!) but watching this video game of a player that UofM has, Denard Robinson, reminds me of when Mike Vick played for Atlanta. This is going to be a tough one to choose sides on. But in case you are wondering where to watch the game, I have the perfect spot for you.
My home girl and soon to be 95 District Rep, Stacy Erwin Oakes, is having a tailgate party at the Cadillac Lounge (Club) for ONLY$10! See flyer below for details.
And FELLA's...there is NO NEED to come in there with your face and head all raggedy. If you need a cut you need to check out Fresh 2 Def Barber shop with my man Twuan. One barber, one chair, one conversation. (He did not cut that dude's hair on my FAIL!!! last week.)
Then Sunday, after all of the cussing and drinking because your team has lost or won, be sure to go to church and repent for your sins. You can definitely come visit my church St. Paul's Episcopal, but if you already have a hangover I would suggest that you skip the Holy Communion because we serve REAL wine (Wild Irish Rose, I think).
Speaking of church ...YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
I know you have heard of Harvestfest by now, right? If not, this is your opportunity to witness and experience it. Shout out to KLM (Kingdom Life Ministries). Check out the flyer below. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT! (Click "REGISTER")
Speaking of KLM...one of their own has penned, typed, written (or whatever the term is now a days) a book! That's right, Daniel Rodriguez, is now an author (as spiritual as he is, I thought he wrote the BIBLE).
Check out all of the info below, and definitely go out and buy it. (Hey, Daniel, I'll review it for you for free!)
Spiritual Authority: Uncovering the Kingdom of Darkness and Your Authority Over It.
Are you tired of the enemy having victory in your life?
Spiritual Authority will encourage and empower you to overcome the enemy and experience victory in every area of your life! In this powerful book, Daniel uncovers the enemy's origin, kingdom, intentions, methods of attack, and weapons of war. The enemy's tools and resources are exposed!
Through scripture, Daniel brings to light the power and authority we have as Believers towards the enemy. He gives you the tools and instructions needed to successfully engage in spiritual warfare...and to win! No longer to do have to accept defeat in your life and in the life of others! Today is your day of victory!
God is calling you to the Frontline of the battlefield! Are you ready to win!?
What has been floating around that is interesting enough for me to mention?
Locally... The question about building a casino in Saginaw was buried inside of an online survey the city posted last Wednesday, according to the Saginaw News. The survey was aimed at helping planners design Saginaw's next commercial and residential blueprint. I can see how this idea developed. There were probably some modern day Einsteins sitting around a table and they said, "Saginaw, the most violent city per capita for the past seven years, a city where jobs are leaving, has a ton of blight, and home to some deranged guy with a one word name (Bobjohnson), is a perfect site for a casino!" I wonder did they even remember the fact that we have one in Detroit and Mt. Pleasant. But on the flip side, I think a casino would be a great thing for our city. It would definitely bring jobs and tourist to Saginaw. What do you think?
Don't forget about the :
College and Scholarship Fair
Tuesday, October 5
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saginaw Valley State University
First Saturday's at the French Quarters will be the place to be this winter. Last Saturday Rahmaan Kelley brought us Poetry, Comedians, a Hair Show and Food for only $10 (recession prices). Somebody also won tickets to the Dru Hill concert on Sweetest Day at the Dow Events Center. The next one will be the first Saturday of November.
Speaking of... The Dow Events Center, Make sure you vote in favor of it on Nov.2. It will be referred to as the Saginaw County Events Center Millage on the ballot, since Dow does not own it (they only paid to have it named after them). Think of how far you would have to travel just to see the next Tyler Perry play.
Nationally... Police in California are looking to charge a 34 year old Los Angeles pimp with kidnapping charges. This fool has been kidnapping 13 and 14 year old girls and turning them into prostitutes. He brands them with tattoos bearing his street name "Snipe King." Parent be careful of who your kids interact with on the computer because this is where perverts like him first entice these children at, according to the article onYAHOO!. Well "Snipe King," you are a three time loser and by law in California, you will get life for your third strike. Maybe your new name will be "Snipe Queen" or better yet "Bubba's Queen." I got OneWord for the prisoners where he will be housed: KickHisA$$!! (Hey, I have daughters that age.)
Chad Ochocinco, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals is always full of surprises. But this latest one even shocked him. According to www.news.cincinnati.com, when callers tried to call the number to a charity listed on a cereal box that Ochocinco was on, they instead got a sex hot line. Chad apologized of course. OneWord:PUBLICITY!
The Legislature voted last week to allow liquor sales on Sunday morning and Christmas Day. If Governor Granholm signs this bill there will be more MERRY DRUNKS on Christmas. The bill proposes that the sales of alcoholic beverages stop from midnight on Christmas Eve through noon of Christmas day. Currently booze sales stop at 9pm of Christmas Eve and continue until the day after Christmas.
In Obama Drama...
The President is calling the GOP some two-faced liars. (Wow, who didn't know this?) Click the link to read the article in the Detroit Free Press.
Last...
Do you want a butt burger? I'm STRAIGHT Mickey D's!OneWord:FAIL!!!
Don't forget to post this blog to your wall on facebook! Also, send me your news, ads, or any FAILS!!! you would like for me to post. bobjohnson1word@gmail.com
I'm going to keep it short today. I happened to stumble across this in the Saginaw News. Some of you know that I write for the Delta Collegiate and last year we published the now infamous comic strip entitled "Should've stayed in Flint," that pissed off many of our city's leaders. Well this cartoon won an award and I was mentioned in the article as well.
The Collegiate also won the top award for general excellence, beating out the Grand Rapids Community College Collegiate and Lansing Community College’s The Lookout. Judges remarked about Delta’s newspaper saying, “By far, the best stories appeared in the Delta Collegiate — solid leads, good prose and engaging subject matter. Nice overall product.” The general excellence award is based on overall product quality, including content, writing, photos and design. Judges are newspaper editors and journalists from across the state. Staff writer David Ferrier also won first place for his editorial column. For best lead story, Robert Johnson, David Ferrier and Elizabeth Holland won a second place award. The Collegiate’s staff placed second and third for editorial writing.
(I know that was a shameless plug but below you can find the comic and the story behind it.)
A few cried racism while others simply didn't like the bad light in which the cartoon portrayed Saginaw. I can honestly say that the cartoon was not racist. I was part of the process of publishing that issue of the paper.
Although I did not like the light in which others viewed Saginaw, the comic strip did bring about a lot of positive talks and relationships that are continuing today. The real motive for the cartoon was to get us talking and get us to realize that we have to do something about the image of Saginaw.
Speaking of college...
Saginaw Community Foundation and the Public Libraries of Saginaw have teamed up with SVSU to bring Parents and High School Juniors/Seniors a College Scholarship Fair. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 5 from 4:30-6:30.
In other news...
Bishop Eddie Long is continuing to have the worst week ever. It seems that one of his accusers has decided to open his mouth (get your minds out of the gutter) and give an interview. And you guessed it, Bobjohnson tracked down the video. OneWord: WOW!
While we are talking Atlanta, has anyone heard anything else about the T.I. and Tiny situation. As you know, on Sept. 1st, they were arrested by officers in Los Angeles after they were pulled over in his $400,000 car. Police found marijuana, ecstasy, codeine and Styrofoam cups with suspected prescription cough medicine (sizzurp) in it.
Last word on this is that T.I. tested positive for drugs and a federal judge is setting a court date for him to give an explanation as to why he shouldn't go back to prison.
What I don't understand is this:
First, how could a superstar convicted felon, on federal parole, who was blessed to receive only 1year of prison after being caught with machine guns, be so stupid and get caught up doing something that was so unnecessary?
Second, why does he continue to get breaks? I know some guys that were just MENTIONED in federal wire taps and are in prison doing football scores.
Last, after all of the positive talk and changed man bull crap he talked, doesn't this just make it harder for those of us that have really changed?
Get it together ATL!!!
Okay, If you know me, you know I love Saginaw and everything about it. So you can imagine the struggle I faced when I was sent this picture of one of our schools (who shall remain nameless) using the wrong word on their marquee. As bad as I hate to blast my own, here it is.
OneWord:FAIL!!!!
Don't forget to post this to your wall on facebook. (there is a link below)
Also vote in favor of the Saginaw Events Center (Dow, Civic Center) Millage on Nov.2.
What's up everybody? I love the feedback I am receiving with this blog. I appreciate everyone that posts it to their facebook wall. Continue with the feedback and offer up ideas as well. Also send me any anything you would like to see advertised or written about.
Where do we start...
Apparently some genius in Saginaw Township thought it was a good idea to brandish a gun during a road rage incident. Little did he know, the person he waived the gun at was an off duty police officer. According to the Saginaw News the officer called dispatch and followed this modern day Einstein until township officers made an arrest. I say he is lucky because I have read stories of people being KILLED by the police just for pulling a RAKE!
This weekend, Saginaw officers made 38 traffic stops in the Old Town area of the city. This is the same part of the city where officers were being accused of excessive use of tasers on young Black men that were patronizing the area this summer. If only we could get that same kind of police presence in our communities. But hey, someone has to protect the bars our city taxes.
Have you ever heard of the Ruby (Recognizing the Upward Bright and Young) Awards? Well they are awards given to local professional under the age of 40. (I fit that criteria by the way, hint, hint!). Past recipients include J.J. Boehm and Brian Pruitt.
Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 5, with forms available at 1st State Bank, with offices located at 4805 Towne Centre and 5424 State, both in Saginaw Township, and 601 N. Madison in Bay City; the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce at 515 N. Washington in Saginaw; and in the October issue of Great Lakes Bay Regional Lifestyle Magazine. Nomination forms can also be found online.
NATIONAL...
There is a new civil rights movement that is spreading throughout the country and last week none other than Oprah shed light on it. In light of the new movie Waiting for Superman, education is quickly becoming the hot topic and may be one of the main issues in the upcoming Presidential election. Oprah ran two episodes last week on the subject.
President Obama said on the "Today" show Monday morning that American students attend school a month less than kids in other countries -- contending that the school-year gap puts them at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.
The president also said that though per-student spending has gone up in the country, student performance has gone down, which shows that "money without reform will not fix the problem."
When you find time do a google search on Geoffrey Canada and the Harlem Children's Zone. Locally we are trying to duplicate his Harlem's Children's Zone, ours is named Project Re-Imagine.
Also, we have leaders working around the clock on something called the Saginaw Promise Zone. This calls for zoning off certain parts of the city. If you happen to live in these zoned off parts, your child(ren) will receive a FREE college education at any state college or university. This is also an attempt to lure people back into our city.
STRANGE
Wow, Bishop Eddie Long is gaining one new accuser per day. A fourth young man has come forth (get it- fourth, forth). If this continues, he will surpass Tiger Woods as the biggest adulterer, except his was with young men. (Hey don't get mad at me, I'm not accusing him of anything!). I just wonder when Boondocks are going to make an episode aimed at him?
How ironic is it the the owner of the company that makes those Segways (Two wheeled scooters that were on Mall Cop) was killed by one? The New York Times reported:
The body of 62-year-old Jimi Heselden, who owns the company that makes the two-wheeled Segway, has been found dead in a river in northern England after apparently falling off a cliff on one of the vehicles, police said Monday.
That's all I have for today. Remember to:
Attend DeAngelo Snows funeral, click here for details
Click "FOLLOW" on this Blog
Post this Blog to your wall on facebook
Vote in support of the Saginaw Events Center on Nov. 2nd
CHECK OUT THIS DUDES HAIRCUT!
OneWord:FAIL!!!
*Directly under this FAIL picture you will find it easy to post this to facebook or twitter by clicking the link
Where do I start? Lets see............................................................................................................................... LOCAL: CAC on Perkins in Saginaw is paying bills. I have not confirmed this but my source is very reliable. I hear they are paying past due water, electric/gas, and house tax bills. You may see ole Bobjohnson standing in this line so don't act surprised. Legislation has been passed to allow all Michigan community colleges to offer four year Bachelor degrees. Delta College says they will not participate because of the agreements they already share with four year colleges such as Northwood, Ferris, and Saginaw Valley State University. Delta College is a two year Associates degree program but I know some people who have been there long enough to get Ph.D's. Speaking of college, Davenport University is offering transfer students a $1,000 scholarship in an attempt to boost enrollment.
STATE:
Aretha Franklin's 52 year old son was severely beaten outside of a Detroit gas station.
People.com reports:
Aretha Franklin's son was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery following an assault at a Detroit gas station, according to the singer's rep.Doctors performed emergency oral surgery on Eddie Franklin, 52, who eyewitnesses say was severely beaten by three men on Monday night. He was discharged the next day.
No arrests have been made. Authorities are also looking for a female spotted in the vicinity of the attack.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Who has been following this Bishop Eddie Long Sex Scandal? This guy is having a terrible week. Earlier this week two members of his church came forth with a lawsuit claiming that the Bishop used his influence to have sexual relations with them. Then another guy came forth. Then pictures were released (Bobjohnson has them). Then interviews and public appearances were cancelled.
The three young men he recruited into the youth ministry who filed the lawsuits describe him as a sexual predator who pushed them into sex, gave them expensive gifts and sent questionable pictures, texts and emails. Pictures sent to the men who were 16 and 17 included him posing in a muscle shirt in a bathroom. Take a look at the pics and you tell me what you think?
A quick look on twitter finds some (Marvin Sapp) supporting the Bishop.
"Things Eddie Long Is Thinking: Oh...I thought when you turned your back to me, it was an invitation."
(Dead wrong!)
Check out this dude
OneWord...FAIL!!!
Don't forget to vote in favor of the Saginaw County Events Center Millage on Nov 2. We can't afford to have another empty building on the East side of the river!
Also, don't forget to post this blog on your facebookwall.
